Northern Railway is making significant strides under the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Railway’ initiative, aiming to enhance both movable assets and fixed infrastructure. As part of this effort, the launch of the Amrit Bharat Scheme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accelerated the redevelopment of railway stations across the Northern Railway zone. The goal is to provide passengers with a modern, clean, and comfortable travel experience by upgrading station facilities.
Rapid Progress on Station Redevelopment
The project is progressing rapidly, with master plans for 104 stations already approved. Of these, 16 stations are set for major upgrades in the first phase, while feasibility studies for 21 additional stations are ongoing. The budget allocation for station redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Scheme for the 2024-25 fiscal year stands at Rs. 1,538 crore.
Stations across Northern Railway’s five divisions—Delhi, Ambala, Firozpur, Moradabad, and Lucknow—are being revamped. These divisions span six states and two Union Territories, with stations in major cities such as Delhi, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Ambala on the list. Additionally, important towns in Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, including Rohtak, Sonipat, Muzaffarnagar, and Saharanpur, are also part of the redevelopment plan.
Tourist and pilgrimage destinations like Ayodhya, Varanasi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Anandpur Sahib, Kalka, and Shimla will also undergo significant transformations. The redeveloped stations will include modern amenities like new entry gates, foot overbridges (FOBs), lifts, and escalators for easy access to platforms, while special attention will be given to the needs of Divyangjan (differently-abled persons).
General Manager of Northern Railway, A.K. Verma, stated that these revamped stations will symbolize the evolving face of Indian Railways, blending multimodal transport and commercial activities to create iconic centers within cities. The upgrades will not only improve the passenger experience but also reflect the culture and ethos of each location, with provisions for offices, food courts, and shopping complexes.